Tag: 2023

PRESS RELEASE : £15 million funding boost to strengthen supply of critical minerals [February 2023]
The press release issued by the Department of Business and Trade on 27 February 2023.

Tonnes of rare earth elements – essential for technology such as electric vehicles and wind turbines – could be recycled in future thanks to £15 million of government funding for cutting edge research.
- £15 million boost for critical minerals used in clean energy technology
- new research and development programme to focus on a specific group of critical minerals: rare earth elements
- rare earths – like those used in electric motors – are essential to economic and national security and capitalising on growing industries
Tonnes of rare earth elements – essential for technology such as electric vehicles, wind turbines and smart phones – could be recycled in future thanks to £15 million of government funding for cutting edge research to strengthen supply of critical materials.

Rare earth elements are a family of critical minerals used in products ranging from electric vehicle motors to washing machines. They are vital to the economy, as they are used to create vital components in products ranging from laptops to aircraft. But supply chains are complex and markets are volatile, with most critical minerals sourced from just a handful of countries. This leaves UK jobs and industries vulnerable to market shocks and geopolitical events, which is why the government is working to help UK firms establish resilient and sustainable access to critical minerals.

The £15 million funding will launch the CLIMATES programme, delivered by Innovate UK, to develop work on rare earths by researchers and businesses across the country. This will support innovations in the recycling of rare earth elements, as well as research and development, engagement with international partners and activities to identify and support future skills needs. The programme will also look to unlock further private investment in projects to develop resilient supply chains for these important resources.

Nusrat Ghani, Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade, said:

Rare earth elements underpin so much of what makes everyday life and work possible, from the cars we drive to the phones we use. It is essential that, in a rapidly changing world, we do all we can to ensure resilient supplies of these and other critical minerals.

The impact of Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine on energy prices has been a timely reminder of how important supply chains are for all parts of our economy. That’s why we are laser-focused on securing robust supply chains, for the growing, green industries that will deliver jobs and prosperity across the UK in the decades to come.

Mike Biddle, Executive Director for Net Zero at Innovate UK said:

Now is the time to build UK capability and a sustainable supply of rare earth elements, working with international partners. The rising costs of energy has demonstrated the importance of resilient global supply chains. Our CLIMATES programme will work with businesses, investors, and industry bodies to deliver a series of activities, from funding competitions to networking events and workshops, all designed to drive growth in the sector and build resilient supply chains to help us strengthen our economy and meet our environmental targets.

Will Drury, Challenge Director, Driving the Electric Revolution, Innovate UK said:

For the UK to deliver on its net zero ambitions we must have access to critical minerals and materials. This intervention by Innovate UK in support of the UK government’s strategy provides a thrilling proposition for UK businesses and innovators to build on our research excellence. Our aim is to create an exciting investment proposition that enables growth in this vital area.

It is because of these global challenges that the government will refresh the delivery approach of the UK’s Critical Minerals Strategy, which will be published later in 2023. To deliver on the Strategy’s commitment to collaborate internationally, we have continued to engage bilaterally and across a range of multilateral forums, notably the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), the International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the G7 and the G20.

Production of critical minerals of all kinds is expected to rise sharply – some as much as 500% by 2040. The government is working to ensure the UK secures a strong foothold in this growing market by supporting key investment in related industries.

In July 2022 Pensana launched the UK’s first-ever magnet materials refinery in East Yorkshire, a £145 million facility that will secure hundreds of jobs and form an important part of the UK’s electric vehicle supply chain. In November 2022 Green Lithium announced they would build the first large-scale lithium refinery anywhere outside of Asia, in Teeside. Both investments are supported by the government’s Automotive Transformation Fund.

The government is also harnessing the UK’s unparalleled expertise around critical minerals data, through work with the British Geological Survey. They are delivering the work of the Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre (CMIC), set up to improve the resilience of critical mineral supply chains by providing policymakers with up-to-date data and analysis on supply, demand, and market dynamics.
March 1, 2023
Ursula von der Leyen – 2023 Statement at the Joint Press Conference with UK Prime Minister Sunak

The statement made by Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, on 27 February 2023.

Good afternoon Prime Minister, dear Rishi,

It is an honour and a pleasure to be here in Windsor with you. And it is with a great sense of satisfaction that we stand here together. We are about to deliver on an important commitment we made to each other a few months ago. I remember our first discussions, when we saw eye-to-eye on how to support our Ukrainian friends. And I was encouraged by our trustful and strong cooperation on this crucial geostrategic issue. But I also remember how the two of us were honest with each other about the difficulties in our bilateral relationship. It was vital to put that on the right footing too.

We committed to working hard together to do so. We knew that for us to be able to make the most of the potential of our partnership, solutions were needed for the issues around the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. We knew it was not going to be easy. We knew we needed to listen to each other’s concerns very carefully. Above all, we had to listen to the concerns of the people of Northern Ireland. We knew we had to work hard, with clear minds and determination. But we also both knew, dear Rishi, that we could do it. Because we were both genuinely committed to finding a practical solution for people and for all communities in Northern Ireland.

Today, we can take pride in the fact that we have delivered on that commitment. Because today, we have reached an agreement in principle on the Windsor Framework. The Windsor Framework lays down new arrangements for the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. This new Framework will allow us to begin a new chapter. It provides for long-lasting solutions that both of us are confident will work for all people and businesses in Northern Ireland. Solutions that respond directly to the concerns they have raised.

Prime Minister,

We worked hard across a wide range of areas. The new arrangements are delivering a comprehensive package so that we can address in a definitive way the issues faced in everyday lives. I will only mention two examples that I find most telling.

Indeed, the new Windsor Framework will ensure that the same food will be available on supermarket shelves in Northern Ireland as in the rest of the UK. Furthermore, the new Windsor Framework will permanently enable all medicines, including novel ones, to be available in Northern Ireland at the same time, under the same conditions as in the rest of the UK. For this to work, we have agreed on safeguards like IT access, labels and enforcement procedures that will protect the integrity of the European Union’s Single Market. The new Windsor Framework respects and protects our respective markets and our respective legitimate interests. And most importantly, it protects the very hard-earned peace gains of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement for the people of Northern Ireland and across the island of Ireland. Violence has no place in our society. I condemn wholeheartedly the shooting of the PSNI officer in Northern Ireland last week. My thoughts are with the officer and his family and friends.

This year will mark the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. An important milestone of the historic peace process. The new Windsor Framework is here to benefit people in Northern Ireland and support all communities celebrating peace on the island of Ireland. This is why I believe we can now open a new chapter in our partnership. A stronger EU-UK relationship standing as close partners shoulder to shoulder now and in the future.

Many thanks.

February 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : A new way forward on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland – political agreement in principle on the Windsor Framework [February 2023]
The press release issued by the European Commission on 27 February 2023.

Today, the European Commission and the Government of the United Kingdom reached a political agreement in principle on the Windsor Framework. This constitutes a comprehensive set of joint solutions aimed at addressing, in a definitive way, the practical challenges faced by citizens and businesses in Northern Ireland, thereby providing them with lasting certainty and predictability.

The joint solutions cover, amongst other things, new arrangements on customs, agri-food, medicines, VAT and excise, as well as specific instruments designed to ensure that the voices of the people of Northern Ireland are better heard on specific issues particularly relevant to the communities there. These new arrangements are underpinned by robust safeguards to ensure the integrity of the EU’s Single Market, to which Northern Ireland has a unique access.

Today’s political agreement in principle allows the two sides to open a new chapter in our partnership, based on mutual trust and full cooperation, also allowing to unlock the full potential of their relationship.

President Ursula von der Leyen said: “The Windsor Framework was made possible by genuine political will and hard work guided by the fundamental principle that the interests and needs of people should always come first. Supporting and protecting the hard-earned gains of the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement was the prerequisite of our endeavour. Today, our achievement allows us to put forward definitive solutions that work for people and businesses in Northern Ireland and that protect our Single Market. It also allows us to turn the page towards a bilateral relationship that mirrors the one of close allies standing shoulder to shoulder in times of crisis.”

The joint solutions, found within the framework of the Withdrawal Agreement, are based on the following starting points:
- A comprehensive, cross-cutting and definitive solution, addressing practical difficulties in the operation of the Protocol;
- A balance between flexibilities for the movement of goods for end use in Northern Ireland and effective safeguards guaranteeing the protection of the EU’s Single Market;
- A clear distinction between goods at risk and goods not at risk of entering the EU’s Single Market.
In the sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) area, the joint solutions ensure that the same food will be available on supermarket shelves in Northern Ireland as in the rest of the UK. In practice, agri-food retail products for end consumption in Northern Ireland will be able to move from Great Britain with minimal certification requirements and controls. UK public health standards will apply for those agri-food retail goods for end consumption in Northern Ireland, whilst EU plant and animal health rules remain applicable for the protection of the EU Single Market. This arrangement is commensurate with a set of existing and new safeguards, including SPS inspection facilities and labelling which will be introduced gradually. When these safeguards are fully in place, identity checks will be reduced to only 5%. Physical checks will follow a risk-based and intelligence-led approach. Moreover, travelling with pets will be easy, thanks to a simple pet travel document, a microchip, and a declaration by the owner that the pet will not travel to the EU.

New arrangements in the area of customs are based on an expanded trusted trader scheme that will also be open to businesses in Great Britain. Goods moved by trusted traders and not at risk of entering the EU’s Single Market will benefit from dramatically simplified procedures and drastically simplified declarations with reduced data requirements. Substantial facilitations were found for freight and the movement of all types of parcels, i.e., business-to-business, business-to-consumer, and consumer-to-consumer, with consumer-to-consumer parcels being entirely exempt from the main customs requirements. These new solutions are made possible especially by new data-sharing arrangements allowing for risk assessments, which would constitute the principle basis for controls. Robust authorisation and monitoring of the trusted trader scheme, and increased market surveillance and enforcement by UK authorities also act as safeguards. Full customs procedures will apply to goods at risk of entering the EU’s Single Market.

A permanent solution has also been found to ensure that people in Northern Ireland have access to all medicines, including novel medicines, at the same time and under the same conditions as people in the rest of the UK. This complements the solution the EU adopted in April 2022 for the supply of generic medicines to Northern Ireland. These new arrangements are made possible by new safeguards, notably labelling, designed to ensure that the medicines do not enter the EU’s Single Market.

New flexibilities were also found for certain VAT and excise rules, accompanied by safeguards protecting the EU from fraud risks or potential distortion of competition. These arrangements include a possibility to set UK VAT rates below EU VAT minima rates for immovable goods with no risk that these goods enter the EU Single Market (e.g., a heat pump for a house). A UK SME VAT exemption scheme is now applicable to both goods and services if the UK respects the EU threshold for the size of SMEs. There is now also a possibility to tax all alcoholic beverages according to their alcoholic strength, and to set reduced duty rates to alcoholic beverages, if served for immediate consumption in hospitality venues in Northern Ireland, as long as the applied rates are not below EU minima duty rates.

With regard to governance, the voices of Northern Ireland people and stakeholders will be better heard through regular engagement at each level of the Withdrawal Agreement structures. There will be enhanced engagement with Northern Ireland stakeholders on Protocol-related matters. New thematic subgroups within the Joint Consultative Working Group will be set up. A new emergency mechanism, the Stormont Brake, will allow the UK government, at the request of 30 Members of the Legislative Assembly in Northern Ireland, to stop the application in Northern Ireland of amended or replacing provisions of Protocol-related EU law that may have a significant and lasting impact specific to the everyday lives of communities there. This mechanism would be triggered under the most exceptional circumstances and as a matter of last resort, in a very well-defined process set out in a Unilateral Declaration by the UK.

The Court of Justice of the European Union remains the sole and ultimate arbiter of EU law.

The joint solutions also address implementation difficulties related to tariff rate quotas (TRQs) for the most sensitive categories of steel and clarify the application of State aid rules.

These new arrangements have been carried out within the framework of the Withdrawal Agreement of which the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland is an integral part. Within these pre-established legal parameters, a number of targeted amendments to the Protocol address, in a definitive way, unforeseen circumstances or deficiencies that have emerged since the start of the Protocol.

Next steps

The European Commission and the Government of the United Kingdom will proceed, within the remit of their respective powers, with the necessary steps to translate the joint solutions into legally binding instruments and to implement these swiftly and in good faith. To that effect, a meeting of the EU-UK Joint Committee on the Withdrawal Agreement, co-chaired by Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič and UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, will also take place in the coming weeks. The Commission has today made proposals to the Council for a Union position as regards, amongst other things, the decisions that need to be adopted in that meeting.

In addition, the Commission has today tabled legislative proposals in the SPS, medicines and TRQs areas, which will now be submitted to the European Parliament and Council.

The respective roles of the European Parliament and Council will be fully respected.

The new arrangements are not compatible with the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill. The Commission welcomes that the UK government is stopping the process of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, and is not proceeding with it, so that it will fall in the UK Parliament at the end of the Parliamentary session. These arrangements, when implemented, mean that there will no longer be grounds for the existing Commission legal proceedings against the United Kingdom relating to the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland.

Background

The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, as an integral part of the Withdrawal Agreement, was agreed jointly and ratified by both the EU and the UK. It has been in force since 1 February 2020 and has legal effects under international law. The aim of the Protocol is to protect the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement in all its dimensions, maintaining peace and stability in Northern Ireland, avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland, while preserving the integrity of the EU Single Market.
February 27, 2023
Rishi Sunak – 2023 Statement on the Windsor Framework

The statement made by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, on 27 February 2023.

Good afternoon.

All our thoughts are with Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell and his family after last week’s abhorrent shooting in Omagh.

A man of extraordinary courage, his first thought was to protect the children he had been coaching.

President Von der Leyen and I stand united with the people and leaders of all communities across Northern Ireland.

Those trying to drag us back to the past will never succeed.

This afternoon, I welcomed President Von der Leyen to Windsor to continue our discussions about the Northern Ireland Protocol.

I’m pleased to report that we have now made a decisive breakthrough.

Together, we have changed the original Protocol and are today announcing the new Windsor Framework.

Today’s agreement:

Delivers smooth flowing trade within the whole United Kingdom.

Protects Northern Ireland’s place in our Union.

And safeguards sovereignty for the people of Northern Ireland.

These negotiations have not always been easy, but I’d like to pay an enormous personal tribute to Ursula for her vision in recognising the possibility of a new way forward.

And to my colleagues the Foreign and Northern Ireland Secretaries for their steadfast leadership.

The United Kingdom and the European Union may have had our differences in the past, but we are allies, trading partners, and friends…

…something that we’ve seen clearly in the past year as we joined with others, to support Ukraine.

This is the beginning of a new chapter in our relationship.

For a quarter of a century the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement has endured because at its heart is respect for the aspirations and identities of all communities.

Today’s agreement is about preserving that delicate balance and charting a new way forward for the people of Northern Ireland.

I am standing here today because I believe that we have found ways to end the uncertainty and challenge for the people of Northern Ireland.

We have taken three big steps forward.

First, today’s agreement delivers the smooth flow of trade within the United Kingdom.

Goods destined for Northern Ireland will travel through a new Green Lane, with a separate Red Lane for goods at risk of moving onto the EU.

In the Green Lane, burdensome customs bureaucracy will be scrapped.

It means food retailers like supermarkets, restaurants and wholesalers will no longer need hundreds of certificates for every lorry.

And we will end the situation where food made to UK rules could not be sent to and sold in Northern Ireland.

This means that if food is available on the supermarket shelves in Great Britain…

…then it will be available on supermarket shelves in Northern Ireland.

And unlike the Protocol, today’s agreement means people sending parcels to friends and family or doing their shopping online, will have to complete no customs paperwork.

This means we have removed any sense of a border in the Irish Sea.

Second, we have protected Northern Ireland’s place in the Union.

We’ve amended the legal text of the Protocol to ensure we can make critical VAT and excise changes for the whole of the UK…

…for example on alcohol duty, meaning our reforms to cut the cost of a pint in the pub will now apply in Northern Ireland.

The same quintessentially British products like trees, plants, and seed potatoes – will again be available in Northern Ireland’s garden centres.

Onerous requirements on pet travel have been removed.

And today’s agreement also delivers a landmark settlement on medicines.

From now on, drugs approved for use by the UK’s medicines regulator…

…will be automatically available in every pharmacy and hospital in Northern Ireland.

Third, today’s agreement safeguards sovereignty for the people of Northern Ireland.

The only EU law that applies in Northern Ireland under the Framework…

…is the minimum necessary to avoid a hard border with Ireland and allow Northern Irish businesses to continue accessing the EU market.

But I know that many people in Northern Ireland are also worried about being subject to changes to EU goods laws.

To address that, today’s agreement introduces a new Stormont Brake.

Many had called for Stormont to have a say over these laws.

But the Stormont Brake goes further and means that Stormont can in fact stop them from applying in Northern Ireland.

This will establish a clear process through which the democratically elected Assembly can pull an emergency brake…

…for changes to EU goods rules that would have significant, and lasting effects on everyday lives. If the brake is pulled, the UK government will have a veto.

This gives the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland a powerful new safeguard, based on cross community consent.

I believe the Windsor Framework marks a turning point for the people of Northern Ireland.

It fixes the practical problems they face.

It preserves the balance of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement.

Of course, parties will want to consider the agreement in detail, a process that will need time and care.

Today’s agreement is written in the language of laws and treaties.

But really, it’s about much more than that.

It’s about stability in Northern Ireland.

It’s about real people and real businesses.

It’s about showing that our Union, that has lasted for centuries, can and will endure.

And it’s about breaking down the barriers between us.

Setting aside the arguments that for too long, have divided us.

And remembering the fellow feeling that defines us:

This family of nations – this United Kingdom.

February 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : John Clarke announced as new Companies House chair [February 2023]
The press release issued by the Department of Business and Trade on 27 February 2023.

John Clarke has been announced as the new chair of Companies House, replacing Lesley Cowley.
John Clarke has today (27 February 2023) been announced as the new chair of Companies House

he replaces Lesley Cowley who served as chair from March 2017 to February 2023

Companies House incorporates and dissolves limited companies, registers the information companies are legally required to supply and makes that information available to the public.

John Clarke said:

It is a great honour to be appointed as the new Non-Executive Chair of Companies House, at a time when we are embarking on a fundamental operational transformation. The role of Companies House will change to reflect its responsibility to help achieve the government’s priorities in national security, anti-corruption, tackling fraud and boosting enterprise.

Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake said:

John Clarke is a fantastic appointment to this role. His extensive background in leadership and business transformation will support Companies House as it continues to deliver important public services, and develops a more prominent role in tackling economic crime.

We are grateful to Lesley Cowley for all her hard work in her time as chair.

Biography

John Clarke is an experienced technology and services executive. He has worked in corporate roles for companies including Nokia, Tesco, Primark, Accenture, and EY. He is also the Non-Executive Chair at the MoD Defence Business Services, and UK Shared Business Services Limited.
February 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Legal age of marriage in England and Wales rises to 18 [February 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 27 February 2023.

Vulnerable children across England and Wales will be better protected from the damaging impact of forced marriage as the legal age of marriage rises to 18 in England and Wales.
- new criminal offence to cause a child to marry, with sentence up to 7 years in prison
- offence includes forced marriage in non-legally binding ceremonies
- Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act comes into force
The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022, which gained Royal Assent in April last year, has come into force today (27 February). It means that 16 and 17 year olds will no longer be allowed to marry or enter a civil partnership, even if they have parental consent.

It is now illegal and a criminal offence to exploit vulnerable children by arranging for them to marry, under any circumstances whether or not force is used.

The change will crack down on forced marriages which can cause lasting damage on a child and forms part of the government’s continued commitment to tackle violence against women and girls.

Those found guilty of arranging child marriages face sentences of up to 7 years in prison.

The age of 18 is widely recognised as the age at which one becomes an adult and gains full citizenship rights.

Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Dominic Raab MP, said:

This law will better protect vulnerable young people, by cracking down on forced marriage in our society.

Those who act to manipulate children into marrying under-age will now rightly face the full force of the law.

The change was introduced through a Private Member’s Bill brought to Parliament by Pauline Latham OBE MP and was supported by campaign organisations within the Girls Not Brides Coalition, which work to end child marriage and ‘honour’-based abuse.

Pauline Latham MP said:

This is a landmark day for the campaigners who have worked relentlessly for over 5 years to ban child marriage in this country.

Child marriage destroys lives and through this legislation we will protect millions of boys and girls over the coming years from this scourge.

Minister for Safeguarding, Sarah Dines MP, said:

Forced marriage is an abuse of human rights which denies vulnerable children the freedom to learn, grow and thrive. Like all other forms of abuse, I’m committed to stamping out this exploitative practice.

In addition to this welcome new legislation, we are also continuing to provide training and guidance to equip the police, social workers and other frontline professionals to support and safeguard victims.

Child marriage is often associated with domestic abuse towards girls, leaving education early, limited career opportunities, and serious physical and mental health problems. The change honours the government’s commitment to the pledge made to the United Nations to end child marriage by 2030.

Previously forced marriage was only an offence if the person uses a type of coercion, for example threats, to cause someone to marry.

It is now an offence to cause a child under the age of 18 to enter a marriage in any circumstances, without the need to prove that a form of coercion was used. This includes non-legally binding ‘traditional’ ceremonies which would still be viewed as marriages by the parties and their families.

Natasha Rattu, Director of Karma Nirvana (a member of the Girls Not Brides Coalition), said:

The change to legislation on child marriage is a huge victory for survivors. It is a huge leap forward to tackling this usually hidden abuse and will provide a greater degree of protection to those at risk.

Last year, the national Honour Based Abuse helpline supported 64 cases of child marriage, representing only a small picture of a much bigger problem. We hope that the new law will help to increase identification and reporting, affording greater protection to children at risk.

In 2021 the government’s Forced Marriage Unit provided advice or support in 118 cases involving victims below 18 years of age. The courts have also issued 3,343 Forced Marriage Protection Orders between their introduction in 2008 and September 2022 which prevents someone from using threats, violence or emotional abuse as a way to force a person into marriage.
February 27, 2023
Keir Starmer – 2023 Comments on the Death of Betty Boothroyd

The comments made by Sir Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, on 27 February 2023.

Betty Boothroyd was a dedicated and devoted public servant who will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

My thoughts – and the thoughts of the Labour Party – are with her friends and family.

February 27, 2023
Lindsay Hoyle – 2023 Statement Following the Death of Betty Boothroyd

The statement made by Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons, on 27 February 2023.

Not only was Betty Boothroyd an inspiring woman, but she was also an inspirational politician, and someone I was proud to call my friend.

To be the first woman speaker was truly groundbreaking and Betty certainly broke that glass ceiling with panache.

She was from Yorkshire, and I am from Lancashire – so there was always that friendly rivalry between us. But from my point of view, it was heartening to hear a Northern voice speaking from the Chair.

She stuck by the rules, had a no-nonsense style, but any reprimands she did issue were done with good humour and charm.

Betty was one of a kind. A sharp, witty and formidable woman – and I will miss her.

February 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Social housing managers must be qualified under new laws to protect residents [February 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 26 February 2023.

Social housing managers must gain professional qualifications under new rules to protect residents and raise standards in the sector.
Latest government action to drive up standards and improve the lives of social housing residents

Professional qualifications to be made mandatory for social housing managers, ensuring residents receive a high-quality service and rapidly professionalise the sector

Part of the Social Housing (Regulations) Bill which will give Regulator tough new powers to hold landlords to account

Social housing managers must gain professional qualifications under new rules to protect residents and raise standards in the sector, Housing Secretary Michael Gove announced today.

Around 25,000 managers across the sector will now be required to have an appropriate level housing management qualification regulated by OfQual equivalent to a Level 4 or 5 Certificate or Diploma in Housing, or a foundation degree from the Chartered Institute of Housing.

The changes will be made through amendments to the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill which will drive up standards in the sector and hold landlords to account over the service they provide to their tenants. The Bill will also give the Regulator tough new powers – allowing them to enter properties with only 48 hours’ notice and make emergency repairs with landlords footing the bill.

It follows Awaab’s Law, introduced earlier this year in the wake of the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, which will force social landlords to fix damp and mould within strict time limits.

Today’s new requirements will professionalise and drive the culture change needed in the sector, ensuring residents receive a high level of service and are treated with respect at all times. While many managers already provide a high quality professional service, not all do. This will ensure that all managers have the skills and qualifications they need.

This will bring social housing more closely into line with other sectors providing front line services, including social work, teaching, and health and care services. Any landlord who fails to meet the requirements of the new standards could receive an unlimited fine from the regulator.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove said:

The Grenfell Tower tragedy and, more recently, the death of Awaab Ishak showed the devastating consequences of residents inexcusably being let down by poor performing landlords who consistently failed to listen to them.

We know that many social housing residents are not receiving the service or respect they deserve. The changes we are delivering today will make sure social housing managers across the country have the right skills and experience to deliver an excellent service and drive up standards across the board.

Gavin Smart, CEO Chartered Institute of Housing, said:

We welcome the government’s focus on and support for professionalism in housing. We believe housing professionals should do all they can to ensure that tenants and residents have access to good quality, affordable homes; that they are treated with dignity and respect; and that their voices and views are heard and taken account of in decisions that affect them, their homes and the communities they live in and that the vast majority of housing professionals and organisations share this belief.

We look forward to working with government to support organisations and individuals in achieving the qualifications needed under these new requirements.
February 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : King Charles III continues Queen Elizabeth’s legacy by giving His Majesty’s name to prestigious awards [February 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 26 February 2023.

The name change reflects His Majesty The King’s desire to continue recognising volunteers and promoting outstanding business.
- Two prestigious Awards established during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign and conferred in Her Late Majesty’s name, have been renamed to reflect King Charles III’s Accession
The Queen’s Award for Enterprise and The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service have been renamed following the Accession of King Charles III. The Awards will become The King’s Award for Enterprise and The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Throughout Her Late Majesty’s 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth II was committed to recognising outstanding work and acts of service by individuals and groups. By attaching His Majesty’s name to these awards, The King has emphasised his desire to continue Queen Elizabeth’s legacy of recognising outstanding businesses and recognising the significant contribution of volunteers each year across the United Kingdom.

As Prince of Wales, His Majesty The King has been closely involved with the Awards for a number of years. His Majesty hosted the annual Royal Reception for both Awards on behalf of Queen Elizabeth since 2018, as well as recording a personal video message to refocus the Sustainable Development award category in 2019.

The newly renamed King’s Award for Enterprise celebrates outstanding achievement by UK businesses and is internationally recognised. The 2023 Awardees will be announced on Friday 21 April this year, marking Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday, and on 6 May from 2024, the anniversary of The King’s coronation.

Previous winners of The Queen’s Award for Enterprise include companies operating on an international scale such as Kelvatek, who provide innovative fault management for electricity distribution networks; to family-run businesses like The Quiet Site, a sustainable holiday park in the Lake District..

Minister for Enterprise Kevin Hollinrake said:

It is wonderful that His Majesty The King will give his name to these prestigious awards. Her Late Majesty left an enduring legacy of support for outstanding entrepreneurs and volunteers and the continuation of these awards will make sure they recognise hardworking individuals up and down the country long into the future.

Established 20 years ago during The Queen’s Golden Jubilee, The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest given to local volunteer groups and recognises around 250 outstanding local volunteer groups each year. From 2023 onwards, awardees will be announced on 14 November each year, The King’s birthday.

Previous winners of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service include The Wylye Valley Art Trail, Peterborough Asylum and Refugee Community Association, Hartlepool Carers and The Edinburgh Care Van Volunteers.

Minister for Civil Society Stuart Andrew said:

These prestigious awards celebrate people’s dedication, commitment and hard work in contributing to society and I’m delighted The King will continue the legacy of Her Late Majesty.

I look forward to seeing the outstanding achievements the awards mark in the coming year, both by businesses and voluntary organisations.

Both The King’s Award for Enterprise and The King’s Award for Voluntary Service will continue to celebrate the very best and shine a light on the inspiring work that supports our economy and our communities.
February 27, 2023